Three-thousand

"My league too major...I'm hip-hop Derek Jeter..."


Ace Hood - Hustle Hard


Baseball is a numbers game deeply rooted in milestones. From Hank Aaron's 755 HR's...to DiMaggio's 56-game hitting streak, and Lou Gehrig's 2131 consecutive games played...the history of the sport is all mathematics.


Dreams


Derek Jeter entered today's game against the Rays standing on the verge of career hit number 3,000. In true Yankee fashion he etched his name in the history books on a solo home run in the 3rd-inning. The magic didn't stop there, as he led his team to a 5-4 victory, on a perfect 5 for 5 outing along with the winning RBI.


All his home runs have been memorable, mainly because he rarely hits any. Two stand out as I reflect: the first November HR in baseball history, and today's blast over the left-field wall.


What mattered most to Derek Jeter today was the win, as he expressed his feelings post game saying, "the most important thing is that we were able to win."


The Yankees are one of the top teams in baseball trailing the Red Sox and Phillies for the best record. The mission for any team is to win the World Series, and if the Captain has anything to do with it...he'd like nothing more than to add another ring to his legacy.


Ironically, the New Jersey born, and Michigan bred young Yankees fan, grew to be a man...that would one day play for his favorite team, and become one of the greatest athletes of all-time.






Words: @axgilbert


Photo: AXG

Lucky Lefty

"Your dreams will take you very far..."

Earth, Wind, & Fire - Shining Star

It's been quite a while since I have written anything...let alone done something for myself...as it's been a busy summer. Nevertheless, I had an idea last week to drive to Baltimore for the Orioles/Yankees weekend matchup.

I didn't make the trip, and as I write this entry...I wish I did.

XX

CC Sabathia entered last night's game with a 19-6 record...seeking the MLB's first 20 game winner since Yankee hurler Mike Mussina did it in '08. The Bronx Bombers jumped out to a 2-0 1st inning lead, and Sabathia never looked back, leading the Yanks to a 11-3 victory, for his first 20 win season.

Throughout his career he's been consistent, from the Cy Young award, to the World Series ring...CC is a proven winner.

With October baseball on the horizon, both the Yankees and Phillies look as if they are on a course for a World Series rematch...in the meantime they will be busy vying for their division with the Yankees hosting the Rays this week, and the Phillies will entertain the Braves.

This is the time when baseball heats up, and every pitch counts more than ever...there are 2 weeks left in the regular season, and anything can happen...see you in October.

Photo: Getty Images

Speed Limit

Speed

Power

"I used to run base like Juan Pierre...now I run the bass, high hat and the snare..."

Jay-Z - Deja Vu

Growing up where I did in Philadelphia...the only sports that mattered were basketball, football, and track. It wasn't until I moved to NYC that I was introduced to baseball. My cousin Donald lived in Queens, so naturally he was a Mets fan, so I decided to cheer for the Yankees.

History

The city that never sleeps is known for basketball, and its legendary point guards like Tiny Archibald, Kenny Anderson, Stephon Marbury, and Rafer Alson...however for those of you that don't know...it's more of a baseball town than anything else. It was once the home of three major teams and now it has two with the Yankees and Mets...nevertheless I learned everything I know about the game in the Empire State

In today's news Tampa Bay Rays left fielder Carl Crawford stole 6 bases against American League foe, the Boston Red Sox...tying an AL record, while breaking his previous club record of 4. He currently leads the major leagues with 17 stolen bases. The amazing feat helped to lead the Rays over the Sox 5-3, giving Tampa the weekend series 2-1.

I'm not only happy for him, but I understand that he accomplished something extremely rare, and in my eyes I'm proud that he is an African American baseball player, as the black ball players have been on the decline in recent years. 

At one point in this country the sport was a way for black Americans to earn a living, entertain one another, and share one another's pride and history...nowadays a lot of that is lost. And as we approach the dog days of June, July, and August...tune into to our national pastime...you just might enjoy it.

The Empire Strikes Back

Teammates

NY State of Mind

Pride

"Remember Bronx River, rolling thick...with cool DJ Red Alert and Chuck Chillout on the mix..."

KRS-One - South Bronx

I absolutely LOVE the game of baseball, and the past season has boiled my fervor for America's pastime. From the collapse of the New York Yankess, and Mets...to the rise of the Philadelphia Phillies, and Tampa Bay Rays...things have been outright interesting. However it is the off season that has somewhat overshadowed the joy of October, as the Yankees have, as always gone shopping for new talent and headlines.

A Bronx Tale

The Yankees had plenty of highs and lows last summer, from the 2008 MLB All-Star game, and the closing of their historic stadium, to missing the playoffs, and finishing with a sub par 89-73 record...times have been tough, and CHANGE was very necessary.

Like his father before him, Hank Steinbrenner has invested millions of dollars into All-Star caliber players, in an effort to put the most famous team in all of sports, back on top. After signing the top free agent pitchers CC Sabathia, and AJ Burnett, the Yanks have emerged as a true contender by adding power and dexterity with Mark Teixeira. The first basemen brings youth, and power from both sides of the plate, infusing an offense that boasts the likes of Derek Jeter, AROD, Robinson Canoe, Jorge Posada, Melky Cabrera, and Johnny Damon. 

Unlike Sabathia and Burnett, the signing of Teixeira came out of nowhere, as the Yankees made one offer several weeks ago, and stayed pat, while the Orioles, Rex Sox, Nationals, and Angels vied for his services. Yesterday at about 2pm, it was announced that he would don the pinstripes, becoming a New York Yankee...coming from another American League franchise, much like Reggie Jackson did over 30 years ago. 

Will the World Series return to the South Bronx...only time will tell, as Yankees look good on paper, but the Phillies are champions until proven otherwise. 

Happy Holidays baseball fans.

Photos: Jeffrey Zelevansky/Getty Images

Tale of two Cities

Success

Can and AG. in DC

Teacher and student

"Friends, how many of us have them...friends, before we go any further, let's be friends..."

Whodini - Friends

The Philadelphia Phillies are back in the World Series for the first time since 1993. The City of Philadelphia is drunk with excitement, as the Phillies are on the verge of bringing a major championship to this famished blue-collar town.

Sunday, October 19, 2008. Today is the first day of the week, and within this week the Phillies will play 3 World Series games, and the landscape of this city can change forever with the swings of a bat, and the pitch of a baseball. I was hopeful that the rest of the week can be as good as Sunday. I was not only on BET in the morning, talking sports on Bring that week back...but I was also mentioned in the Philadelphia Inquirer, in a column written by Annette John-Hall, Black and White are red all over.

Wednesday, October 22, 2008. Game 1. I'd been driving around a lot today and from North Philly to West, everyone is wearing Phillies, jackets, and caps. Even the SEPTA buses have a GO PHILLIES message on the route display sign, which is something I have never seen this late in October. Around 4:30pm, I received a call from the hospital saying that my grandmother had been addmitted for shortness of breath. That was a damper on what had turned out to be a good day leading up to the first game of the World Series.

Grandmom, got the attention she needed and was held over night. I later went to Modell's and purchased a Phillies World Series cap. On my drive home, I had an idea to text a good friend and Tampa native, Candice Dupree about her thoughts and feelings on the national pastime.

6:02:19 PM. I text Candice.

"Hey Can. Hope you are well. I wanted to ask you what your thoughts are on Philly playing Tampa in the World Series? Do you have a team that you are cheering 4?"

9:28:22 PM. Candice writes back.

"Now u should already know that I don't get down with baseball like that."

9:29:23 PM. I retort.

"I do know that, but its both of your cities in the World Series. Hometown and college town. Your thoughts?"

9:45:54 PM. Candice says:

"Well the fact that Tampa has a bunch of youngsters and no "famous" players says a lot abt their team. I know absolutely nothing abt the Phillies."

9:46:39 PM. I reply:

"Okay Can, that's a great answer. Thank you."

The Phillies won 3-2 behind the great pitching of Cole Hamels, Brad Lidge, and 2-run homer by Chase Utley.

The Rays however won Game 2 on Thursday night, 4-2 as Ryan Howard was able to finally get involved, but it wasn't enough as Big Game James Shields pitched a gem, and BJ Upton played well with 2 hits and 1 RBI, sending the series to Philadelphia knotted up at 1 game each. By the way, Phillies also had 2 errors, and that didn't help either...and last but not least, the home plate umpire called a terrible game, but I digress, I don't want to turn this into my own personal soap box for poor officiating.

Game 3 is set for 8:00 PM, October 25, 2008, in South Philly. This is the real test not only for the Rays, but also for the Phillies.

Playing at home for this town is both the gift and the curse.